He was a letter carrier for the U.S. Postal Service for 31 years, retiring in 1976. Before that, he worked for Bethlehem Steel Corp. Following his retirement from the post office, he was employed as a messenger for the A.&D. Computer Corp., Bethlehem.

Born in Fountain Hill, he was a son of the late William G. and Eva (Wirth) Cope.

He was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Fountain Hill.

Cope was a Navy veteran of World War II.

Surviving with his widow are four sons, Paul E. Jr. of Allentown, William A. of New Orleans, Robert D. of Houston and John R. of Bethlehem; three sisters, Charlotte, wife of Albert Heidecker of Bethlehem, Mrs. Nina Heidecker of Fountain Hill, and Mrs. Clayton Vollmer of Broomall, Delawre County, and two brothers, Thomas A. of Fountain Hill and Woodrow W. of Lansdowne, Delawre County.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Monday in the church. A calling hour will precede the services in the church.

The Dino P. Cantelmi Funeral Home, 1311 Broadway, Fountain Hill, is in charge of the arrangements.